**To register for your own personal copy of Dr. Lakin’s COVID-19 Newsletters>>>>>> CLICK HERE

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON COVID-19>>>>>>  CLICK HERE

 

Dr. Lakin’s Weekly COVID-19 Newsletters:

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 1/16/2022>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 1/9/2022>>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 1/2/2022>>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 12/26/2021>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 12/19/2021>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 12/12/2021>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 12/5/2021>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 11/28/2021>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 11/21/2021>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 11/14/2021>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 11/7/2021>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 10/31/2021>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 10/24/2021>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 10/17/2021>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 10/10/2021>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 10/3/2021>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 9/26/2021>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 9/19/2021>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 9/12/2021>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 9/5/2021>>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 8/29/2021>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 8/22/2021>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 8/15/2021>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 8/8/2021>>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 8/1/2021>>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 7/18/2021>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 7/11/2021>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 7/4/2021>>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 6/27/2021>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 6/20/2021>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 6/13/2021>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 6/6/2021>>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 5/30/2021>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 5/23/2021>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 5/16/2021>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 5/9/2021>>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 5/2/2021>>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 4/25/2021>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 4/18/2021>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 4/11/2021>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 4/4/2021>>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 3/28/2021>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 3/23/2021>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

 

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 3/21/2021>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 3/14/2021>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 3/7/2021>>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Vaccine Update 3/2/2021>>>>>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Vaccine Update 3/1/2021>>>>>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 2/28/2021>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 2/21/2021>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 2/14/2021>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Vaccine Update 2/8/2021>>>>>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 2/7/2021>>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 1/31/2021>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 1/27/2021>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 1/24/2021 ‘2″>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 1/24/2021>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 1/17/2021>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 1/10/2021>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 1/3/2021>>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 12/27/2020>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 12/20/2020>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 12/13/2020>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 12/6/2020>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 11/29/2020>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 11/22/2020>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 11/15/2020>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 11/8/2020>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 11/1/2020>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 10/25/2020>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 10/18/2020>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 10/11/2020>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 10/4/2020>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 9/27/2020>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 9/20/2020>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 9/13/2020>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 9/6/2020>>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 8/30/2020>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 8/23/2020>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 8/16/2020>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 8/9/2020>>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 8/2/2020>>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 7/26/2020>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 7/19/2020>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 7/12/2020>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 7/5/2020>>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 6/28/2020>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 6/21/2020>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 6/14/2020>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 6/7/2020>>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 5/31/2020>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 5/24/2020>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 5/17/2020>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 5/10/2020>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 5/3/2020>>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 4/26/2020>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 4/19/2020>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 4/12/2020>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 4/5/2020>>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 3/29/2020>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 3/22/2020>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

COVID-19 Newsletter Update 3/15/2020>>>>>>> CLICK HERE

 

 

COVID CHECKLIST FOR THE DOUBLE OR TRIPLE VACCINATED:

I HAVE GOTTEN 2 OR 3 VACCINES…AND HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH COVID (OMICRON LIKELY) …. NOW WHAT DO I DO?????

THIS IS CHECKLIST FOR THOSE OVER 50 (THIS LIST APPLIES TO THE YOUNGER SET BUT THE LEVEL OF CONCERN IS MUCH LESS):

1. UNDERSTAND THE TIMECOURSE OF COVID
2. QUARANTINE FOR 5 DAYS FROM FIRST SYMPTOMS (IF THIS IS CLEAR) OR FROM THE DATE OF YOUR POSITIVE TEST.  MASK STRICTLY FOR ADDITIONAL 5 DAYS
3. MONITOR YOURSELF DAILY…TEMPERATURE AND OXYGEN LEVELS…IF YOU HAVE THE EQUIPMENT
4. HYDRATE WELL, EAT IF YOU CAN
5. TREAT SYMPTOMS AS REQUIRED
6. KNOW THAT THE MOST IMPORTANT SYMPTOM IS TO WATCH FOR TRUE SHORTNESS OF BREATH.   IF THAT DEVELOPS, GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM
7. CONCERNS….BE IN TOUCH DURING YOUR ILLNESS AND PROVIDE US UPDATES ON FEVER AND OXYGEN LEVELS
8. NO TESTING IS REQUIRED AFTER YOUR ILLNESS

TIME COURSE/EXPECTATIONS:

COVID COURSE:

THREE PHASES OF COVID:

• JAILBIRD
• PAROLE BIRD
• FREE BIRD

JAILBIRD:   STRICT QUARANTINE:   5 DAYS FROM DATE OF FIRST SIGNIFICANT SYMPTOMS IF OBVIOUS OR FROM DATE OF TESTING IF UNCERTAIN BASED ON SYMPTOMS (MUST ALSO BE FEVER FREE FOR 24 HOURS)

PAROLE BIRD:  DAY 6-10.    MASKING WHEN IN THE PRESENCE OF OTHERS INSIDE (NOT REQUIRED OUTSIDE IF SPACIOUS.)   DO NOT SHARE THE SAME BEDROOM AT NIGHT.

FREE BIRD:   DAY 11+ NO RESTRICTIONS.

No testing is needed to prove you are cleared!

QUARANTINING:

• Do not share a BEDROOM with housemates. Use your own bathroom.
• Wear a mask when in the presence of others. 

COVID HOME KIT:

1. DIGITAL ORAL THERMOMETER:    TO MONITOR FEVER.

 MANY BRANDS ARE FINE…HERE IS ONE EXAMPLE:

2 PULSE OXIMETER:   TO CHECK OXYGEN LEVELS. 

MANY BRANDS ARE FINE…HERE IS ONE EXAMPLE:

OTHER ITEMS FROM THE HOME MEDICAL KIT (SEE BELOW FOR USE OF PRODUCTS):

• TYLENOL/ADVIL/ OR ALEVE (ADVIL AND ALEVE ARE SAFE IN COVID)
• Sudafed 30mg tablets
• Chlorpheniramine 4mg tablets
• Robitussin DM syrup
• Imodium AD

Most Common Symptoms

They consist of the same set of symptoms as the common cold/rival respiratory syndrome, but they are worse.

Common/Hallmark symptoms:

·        High fever (over 100.4, but can range from 99’s to 104+)

·        Fatigue

·        Cough

Other symptoms can include milder issues:

·        Loss of Smell and/or Taste

·        Nausea without Vomiting

·        Sore Throat

·        Aching muscles throughout the body

·        Headache

·        Occasional diarrhea …

·        Nasal congestion (occasional)

Aches and Pains and Fever:

·        Tylenol 650 – 1000mg four times per day is preferred for treating these symptoms, but if not working well, you may use:

·         Advil (Ibuprofen 200mg), 2 – 3 tablets….2 – 3 x per day or Aleve (naproxen 220mg), 1 – 2 tablets…1 – 2 x per day,

·        Drink good amounts of clear liquids (anything you can see through)

Sore Throat:

·         Saltwater gargling

1.    Dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water.

2.    Gargle for 15 seconds and spit.

3.    Repeat during the day every 2 – 4 hours to relieve pain.

·         Pain relief medications: Advil (Ibuprofen 200mg), 2 – 3 tablets….2 – 3 x per day or Aleve (naproxen 220mg), 1 – 2 tablets…1 – 2 x per day, or Tylenol 650 – 1000mg four times per day.

DIET RECOMMENDATIONS TO PREVENT DEHYDRATION IN ILLNESS:

Preventing dehydration is of utmost importance in an acute illness.

Clear liquids (any liquid that light can easily shine through) are the best liquids to use. 

These include:

• Plain Water
• Gatorade (or other electrolyte solutions that are similar) ….do not use sugar-free versions of these drinks as the calories in these drinks are helpful is treating the illness and may be the only calories the person can absorb for the first hours or days
• Tea
• Cranberry Juice, Apple Juice (watered down…mixed ½ & ½ with water), White Grape Juice
• Broth from Chicken Soup, Matzo Ball Soup, Bullion
• Popsicles

Sipping liquids …sip, sip, sip….and pushing the fluids progressively with time is the most important treatment provided.  Focus on this above all else!

Foods:  Maintaining good dietary intake is important during the acute phase of illness, so long as appetite is present.  Do not push foods if uninterested…focus on liquids.  That said, if appetite remains acceptable, food can consist of anything that interests your appetite and is tolerable.  Healthier choices are best, but if you want a hamburger…go ahead!  Easy to digest foods include:

• Toast (plain white bread)
• Crackers (Saltines)
• Plain Noodles
• Breakfast cereals
• Bananas, Citrus fruits
• Apple Sauce
• Cooked chicken and meats
• Macaroni (with or without cheese)
• Plain Rice

Cough:

·        Steam: Either in the form of a hot, steamy shower or using a hot pot of water and covering with a towel and put your head under the towel. Both methods will provide humid air to the irritated air passages and soothe the cough.

·        Cough Syrup: Robitussin DM or Delsym cough syrup can be used to suppress cough.

·        You may require a prescription cough syrup with Codeine.  Contact me if that is the case.

Sinus Congestion and Drainage (RARE SYMPTOM):

·        Use a decongestant such as Sudafed 30mg, 1 – 2 pills up to four times per day, or use a drying antihistamine such as Chlortrimeton 4mg, up to four times per day. Other cold medications (over the counter) can be used.

·         Claritin, Zyrtec, Allegra will not work for congestion symptoms from an infection. Do Not Use.

Nausea Treatment:

This is the most difficult issue to treat at home as there is very little one can do to settle the stomach. Coca-Cola with the carbonation eliminated (Flat Coke), Ginger Ale, or Ginger Root…. can be tried, but these are often inadequate, and the key to getting the stomach to settle is getting a good nausea medication.

If nausea is persistent, then calling for a prescription medication is often a good idea. Phenergan (Promethazine), Compazine (prochlorperazine), Zofran (Ondansetron) are very effective in treatment.  Sometimes we use them in combination either as a pill or a suppository.

The KEYS are:

1.   Settling the Stomach…so that liquids can be taken

2.   Focusing on Liquids…so that dehydration does not set in

3.   Eating light foods… if possible (to provide energy for healing). This is not a requirement for healing from an acute GI illness; so, do not feel that the sick person needs to eat food. The only requirement is liquid intake!

When to Seek Medical Assistance

•          There is no medication to treat this virus, so the resolution takes time.

Worsening symptoms/Signs of Complications:

•          If you are getting significantly short of breath please be in touch.  If progressive and worsening, you need to be seen and hospitalized.  Best to go the ER if shortness of breath is a significant symptom

COVID CHECKLIST FOR THE UNVACCINATED:

I HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH COVID…. NOW WHAT DO I DO?????

THIS IS CHECKLIST FOR THOSE OVER 50 (THIS LIST APPLIES TO THE YOUNGER SET BUT THE LEVEL OF CONCERN IS MUCH LESS):

1. UNDERSTAND THE TIMECOURSE OF COVID
2. QUARANTINE FOR 10 DAYS FROM FIRST SYMPTOMS (IF THIS IS CLEAR) OR FROM THE DATE OF YOUR POSITIVE TEST
3. MONITOR YOURSELF TWICE DAILY…TEMPERATURE AND OXYGEN LEVELS
4. HYDRATE WELL, EAT IF YOU CAN
5. TREAT SYMPTOMS AS REQUIRED
6. KNOW THAT THE MOST IMPORTANT SYMPTOM IS TO WATCH FOR TRUE SHORTNESS OF BREATH.   IF THAT DEVELOPS, GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM
7. CONCERNS….BE IN TOUCH DURING YOUR ILLNESS AND PROVIDE US UPDATES ON FEVER AND OXYGEN LEVELS
8. NO TESTING IS REQUIRED AFTER YOUR ILLNESS, ALTHOUGH YOU CAN HAVE A BLOOD TEST FOR ANTIBODIES AFTER 21 DAYS WHEN YOU ARE FREE

TIME COURSE/EXPECTATIONS:

COVID COURSE:

TWO PHASES OF COVID:

• JAILBIRD
• FREE BIRD

JAILBIRD:   STRICT QUARANTINE:   10 DAYS FROM DATE OF FIRST SIGNIFICANT SYMPTOMS IF OBVIOUS OR FROM DATE OF TESTING IF UNCERTAIN BASED ON SYMPTOMS (MUST ALSO BE FEVER FREE FOR 3 DAYS AS WELL)

FREE BIRD:  DAY 11 AND BEYOND.  NO RESTRICTIONS.

Although I do not recommend testing to prove the virus has cleared after infection, if you have testing and are clear, then the above protocol is not applied.

QUARANTINING:

• Do not share a bathroom with housemates if possible. Use your own bathroom.
• Do not share utensils with others and clean your own utensils and/or use paper/disposable eating materials if possible.
• Avoid sharing living spaces with housemates, to the extent your living situations allows.
• Wear a mask when in the presence of others. Wear when you are with others as much as possible.
• Wash your hands frequently.  Use cleanser on surfaces frequently.

COVID HOME KIT:

1. DIGITAL ORAL THERMOMETER:    TO MONITOR FEVER.

 MANY BRANDS ARE FINE…HERE IS ONE EXAMPLE:

2 PULSE OXIMETER:   TO CHECK OXYGEN LEVELS. 

MANY BRANDS ARE FINE…HERE IS ONE EXAMPLE:

OTHER ITEMS FROM THE HOME MEDICAL KIT (SEE BELOW FOR USE OF PRODUCTS):

• TYLENOL/ADVIL/ OR ALEVE (ADVIL AND ALEVE ARE SAFE IN COVID)
• Sudafed 30mg tablets
• Chlorpheniramine 4mg tablets
• Robitussin DM syrup
• Immodium AD

HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE IS NOT RECOMMENDED TO PREVENT OR TREAT COVID AT THIS TIME.   THE DATA DOES NOT SUPPORT Its USE.

CARING FOR YOURSELF IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE COVID OR IF YOU HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH COVID:

1. Check your temperature twice daily and keep a log.  No temperature is dangerous…adults do not have to worry about this.  This is just about monitoring your condition.  If you have concerns, be in touch.

2. Check oxygen level twice daily and keep a log.  A declining oxygen level can indicate early decompensation from COVID.   Normal oxygen saturation is 97-100%.    If lower than that it may be normal for you, but the trend is what matters.   If you are declining into the low 90’s, if you are feeling particularly short of breath…then it is time to check checked at the Emergency Room (which is safe to do!)    If you have concerns…be in touch.

3. Manage symptoms just like any other viral infection (see below)

Most Common Symptoms

They consist of the same set of symptoms as the common cold/rival respiratory syndrome, but they are worse.

Common/Hallmark symptoms:

·        High fever (over 100.4, but can range from 99’s to 104+)

·        Fatigue

·        Cough

Other symptoms can include milder issues:

·        Loss of Smell and/or Taste

·        Nausea without Vomiting

·        Sore Throat

·        Aching muscles throughout the body

·        Headache

·        Occasional diarrhea …

·        Nasal congestion (occasional)

Symptomatic treatment for the most bothersome symptoms

• Plan to:
  Monitor temperature twice daily and record.  
• Monitor oxygen levels twice daily and record.  If dropping significantly you should be in touch.

Aches and Pains and Fever:

·        Tylenol 650 – 1000mg four times per day is preferred for treating these symptoms, but if not working well, you may use:

·         Advil (Ibuprofen 200mg), 2 – 3 tablets….2 – 3 x per day or Aleve (naproxen 220mg), 1 – 2 tablets…1 – 2 x per day,

·        Drink good amounts of clear liquids (anything you can see through)

Sore Throat:

·         Saltwater gargling

1.    Dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water.

2.    Gargle for 15 seconds and spit.

3.    Repeat during the day every 2 – 4 hours to relieve pain.

·         Pain relief medications: Advil (Ibuprofen 200mg), 2 – 3 tablets….2 – 3 x per day or Aleve (naproxen 220mg), 1 – 2 tablets…1 – 2 x per day, or Tylenol 650 – 1000mg four times per day.

DIET RECOMMENDATIONS TO PREVENT DEHYDRATION IN ILLNESS:

Preventing dehydration is of utmost importance in an acute illness.

Clear liquids (any liquid that light can easily shine through) are the best liquids to use. 

These include:

• Plain Water
• Gatorade (or other electrolyte solutions that are similar) ….do not use sugar-free versions of these drinks as the calories in these drinks are helpful is treating the illness and may be the only calories the person can absorb for the first hours or days
• Tea
• Cranberry Juice, Apple Juice (watered down…mixed ½ & ½ with water), White Grape Juice
• Broth from Chicken Soup, Matzo Ball Soup, Bullion
• Popsicles

Sipping liquids …sip, sip, sip….and pushing the fluids progressively with time is the most important treatment provided.  Focus on this above all else!

Foods:  Maintaining good dietary intake is important during the acute phase of illness, so long as appetite is present.  Do not push foods if uninterested…focus on liquids.  That said, if appetite remains acceptable, food can consist of anything that interests your appetite and is tolerable.  Healthier choices are best, but if you want a hamburger…go ahead!  Easy to digest foods include:

• Toast (plain white bread)
• Crackers (Saltines)
• Plain Noodles
• Breakfast cereals
• Bananas, Citrus fruits
• Apple Sauce
• Cooked chicken and meats
• Macaroni (with or without cheese)
• Plain Rice

Cough:

·        Steam: Either in the form of a hot, steamy shower or using a hot pot of water and covering with a towel and put your head under the towel. Both methods will provide humid air to the irritated air passages and soothe the cough.

·        Cough Syrup: Robitussin DM or Delsym cough syrup can be used to suppress cough.

·        You may require a prescription cough syrup with Codeine.  Contact me if that is the case.

Sinus Congestion and Drainage (RARE SYMPTOM):

·        Use a decongestant such as Sudafed 30mg, 1 – 2 pills up to four times per day, or use a drying antihistamine such as Chlortrimeton 4mg, up to four times per day. Other cold medications (over the counter) can be used.

·         Claritin, Zyrtec, Allegra will not work for congestion symptoms from an infection. Do Not Use.

Nausea Treatment:

This is the most difficult issue to treat at home as there is very little one can do to settle the stomach. Coca-Cola with the carbonation eliminated (Flat Coke), Ginger Ale, or Ginger Root…. can be tried, but these are often inadequate, and the key to getting the stomach to settle is getting a good nausea medication.

If nausea is persistent, then calling for a prescription medication is often a good idea. Phenergan (Promethazine), Compazine (prochlorperazine), Zofran (Ondansetron) are very effective in treatment.  Sometimes we use them in combination either as a pill or a suppository.

The KEYS are:

1.   Settling the Stomach…so that liquids can be taken

2.   Focusing on Liquids…so that dehydration does not set in

3.   Eating light foods… if possible (to provide energy for healing). This is not a requirement for healing from an acute GI illness; so, do not feel that the sick person needs to eat food. The only requirement is liquid intake!

When to Seek Medical Assistance

•          There is no medication to treat this virus, so the resolution takes time.

Worsening symptoms/Signs of Complications:

•          If you are getting significantly short of breath please be in touch.  If progressive and worsening, you need to be seen and possibly hospitalized.  Best to go the ER if shortness of breath is a significant symptom

How Long to Recover

•          The COVID is a viral infection that will generally take from 3–7 days to develop, 3-7 days to improve and then from 3-7 days to completely resolve.

Eligibility

Appointments are open to the all groups:

• Ages 18+ (Moderna & J&J)
• Ages 5+ (Pfizer)

CDC recommends Pfizer, Moderna vaccines over J&J’s

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention changed its recommendations for Covid-19 vaccines Thursday to make clear that shots made by Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech are preferred over Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine.

The new recommendation: “mRNA vaccines are preferred over the Janssen Covid-19 vaccine for the prevention of Covid-19 for those 18 years of age and over.”Earlier Thursday, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices endorsed the updated recommendation after hearing new data indicating that a rare blood clotting syndrome is more common among people who recently got a J&J vaccine than previously believed.

CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky accepted the updated recommendation within hours.The CDC has logged 54 cases in the US of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome or TTS in the US since the vaccine became available. Nine people have died — seven women and two men.

Rates are higher than previously estimated among both men and women, the CDC’s Dr. Isaac See told the meeting. While only a few cases have been seen for every million people vaccinated by age group, they are higher than what was believed when vaccine advisers were last briefed.

Read more here. . .

CDC recommends Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine boosters for children as young as 12

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its recommendations for the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine booster on Wednesday to include children as young as 12, at least five months after they finish the primary vaccine series.On Monday, the FDA expanded the emergency use authorization for Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine boosters to children ages 12 to 15. The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted 13-1 earlier Wednesday in favor of recommending the expanded use of Covid-19 boosters for children in this age group.The CDC had ​authorized the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine for use as a booster in ages 16 and 17 in December.”It is critical that we protect our children and teens from COVID-19 infection and the complications of severe disease,” CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said in a news release. “Today, I endorsed ACIP’s vote to expand eligibility and strengthen our recommendations for booster doses. We now recommend that all adolescents aged 12-17 years should receive a booster shot 5 months after their primary series. This booster dose will provide optimized protection against COVID-19 and the Omicron variant. I encourage all parents to keep their children up to date with CDC’s COVID-19 vaccine recommendations.”

Read more here. . .

Current Highlights:

• Over 2.4 million Maricopa County residents have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine — which is over 55% of the total population.
• Over 5.5 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been given to Maricopa County residents.
• In the last week, about 12,000 doses of vaccine were given to Maricopa County residents daily.
• Over 55% of all Maricopa County residents, almost 59% of Maricopa County residents 5 years and older, and almost 67% of adults 18 years and older have received at least 1 dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

• Read More Here

Scheduling Your Appointment:

MyIR Mobile in partnership with your State Health Department allows you to review your immunization history, get reminders for future immunizations, and even print your own official records… it’s all free, simple and secure.
CLICK HERE TO LOGIN OR REGISTER

We require that all unvaccinated and vaccinated patients and visitors entering our office cover their nose and mouth at all times.

To prevent further spread of the Delta & Omicron variants, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its mask guidance on Tuesday, January 5, 2022, to recommend that fully vaccinated people wear masks indoors when in areas with “substantial” and “high” transmission of Covid-19, which includes most of all US counties.

 

We have a limited supply of paper masks and will make these available to patients while they last, however, we strongly encourage you to bring your own facial covering.

 

Stay healthy & safe!

Dr. Lakin

---

TO ALL MY PATIENTS:

 

WITH DELTA AND THE RISE OF THE CURRENT COVID OMICRON VARIANT IN MARICOPA COUNTY, WE WILL CONTINUE TO RESUME OUR REGULAR COVID-19 OFFICE SCHEDULE BUT WITH  CAUTIONARY MEASURES. 

Effective immediately all Staff members, patients, and visitors will need to wear a mask. Regardless if you or they are vaccinated or not vaccinated.  

 

• Check temperatures on ALL patients.
• If vaccinated with fever…. patients need to mask (all in the party mask) and they can be seen.
• If not vaccinated with fever… patients need to be seen outside or for Telehealth visits.
• If a patient calls with a fever… if vaccinated…. they need to be masked and seen alone.
• If a patient calls with a fever… if not vaccinated… they are seen as a Telehealth visit (or potentially in the parking lot).

WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO COME IN FOR YOUR HEALTHCARE NEEDS AT THIS TIME, BUT PLEASE CALL FIRST FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT.  DO NOT ‘JUST DROP BY.’ 
THIS WAY WE WILL BE FULLY PREPARED FOR YOUR VISIT.

 

PLEASE BE ASSURED, OUR PRIMARY GOAL IS YOUR HEALTH.  IF THERE IS ANOTHER COVID SURGE, WE WILL RETURN TO A MORE RESTRICTIVE SCHEDULE IMMEDIATELY… ALWAYS KEEPING THE SAFETY OF ALL IN THE FOREFRONT OF OUR PLAN OF ACTION!

 

YOURS IN GOOD HEALTH,

DR. LAKIN

 

EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY:

IF YOU HAVE COMPLETED TWO COVID-19 VACCINATIONS OF PFIZER-BioNTech OR MODERNA OR ONE COVID-19 VACCINATION OF JOHNSON & JOHNSON AND ARE AT LEAST 2 WEEKS OUT, NO NEED TO COMPLETE THE BELOW QUESTIONNAIRE.   PLEASE CALL OUR OFFICE FOR AN APPOINTMENT.

 

**If you have NOT completed the COVID-19 vaccinations, please complete our COVID-19 Pre-screening Appointment Questionnaire so we can schedule your visit appropriately. 

CLICK HERE

 

• DR. LAKIN WILL CONTINUE ‘TELEHEALTH’ VISITS WITH FaceTime, WhatsApp or ZOOM WHEN NEEDED.

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PLEASE STAY HEALTHY & SAFE!